Chris-Craft Launch 28 GT

Classic boatbuilder, modern bowrider.

By Alan Wendt

Categorically speaking it’s a bowrider.

Any further generality about Chris-Craft’s Launch 28 GT would be slanderous. This American boatbuilding icon rewrites the definitions of art and luxury. From an electrically retractable hardtop and a gleaming varnished mahogany steering wheel to the buttery almond upholstery with “new wave” stitching, every curve exudes a new level of marine elegance.

Teak accents from the bow to the swim platform complement snap-in woven seagrass mats underfoot, although why not opt for a teak sole? Deep blue metallic paint (other colors are available) holds true to the company’s heralded tradition.

“The new Chris-Craft Launch 28 GT offers the latest design features that boaters are looking for, including an electric folding tower and a starboard side door for easy access to its perfectly designed cockpit,” notes Craig Duchow of Centerpointe Yacht Sales. “Powered by a Mercury V8 6.2L (300-hp) B3 DTS sterndrive, this boat is sporty, handles well and delivers a very dry, smooth ride.”

A wide captain’s chair puts you in control behind an impeccably laid out dash, complete with Chris-Craft-branded gleaming gauges, push-button controls and a 12-inch Garmin navigation screen with CZone digital switching. The Launch 28 GT delivers with newly designed air vents, compartment latches and cleats.

Throughout the cockpit, rounded seats and sun lounges in the open bow and aft deck are almost too pretty for a sunscreened body to lounge upon. But if you must, enjoy the aft sunpad’s special feature, with backrests that slide forward to extend the lounge and slide back to create an aft forward-facing bench.

Beneath many of the seats are hinged stowage compartments for towels and beach bags. Deeper compartments to port of the aft sun lounge offer room for fenders, skis and scuba gear.

A portable marine head under the port cockpit, a drawer refrigerator and an optional sink and grill show that Chris-Craft rises above the “sea of sameness” when comparing boat brands.

Chris-Craft also offers this boat in an outboard configuration. Be sure to ask for a full demonstration of the newly designed hardtop that is half arch, half Bimini. For traveling, dry stack or boathouse storage, the electrically actuated fold down mechanism is the icing on the cake.

DEALERS
Centerpointe Yacht Sales
414-310-2492
Centerpointeservice.com

South Shore Marine
419-273-9866
Southshoremarine.com

Walstrom Marine
231-597-4044
walstrom.com